Waymo confirmed in a statement that the fire was intentionally set while the autonomous vehicle was stopped
A Waymo self-driving vehicle was intentionally set on fire early Friday morning in the Mar Vista neighborhood of Los Angeles, according to company officials and local news reports.
The incident occurred shortly after 1 a.m. along South Inglewood Boulevard. The vehicle, which was unoccupied at the time, caught fire in the back seat, officials said.
Video obtained by ABC7 showed visible damage to the rear interior of the car. Firefighters responded quickly and were able to extinguish the flames before they reached the vehicle’s battery. Crews reportedly had to remove part of the back seat to fully put out the fire.
No injuries were reported.
Waymo confirmed in a statement, cited by NBC4, that the fire was intentionally set while the autonomous vehicle was stopped on the street. The company condemned the act, calling it vandalism, and emphasized its commitment to safety.
“Safety is Waymo’s top priority—for our riders and everyone who shares the road with us—and we condemn any form of vandalism to property,” the company said in a statement, ABC7 reported. “While these events are rare, we take them seriously, work with local authorities, and remain committed to improving road safety and mobility in the cities where we operate.”
The investigation is ongoing.
